How would YOU create some fuge space on this setup?

Pygo

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#1
I have an IM 30 gallon long. She’s all good and stable these days, so I might not bother poking the beast right now. But, I’ve always wanted some fuge space or at least a chaeto reactor. More than anything, just a safe haven for pods to breed, if possible.

Floor to the right of the tank is my ATO tank, and electrical equipment, so not gonna happen there. Floor to the left is my bucket corner, but it could be moved around(not ideal). I like the idea of an HOB fuge or a smallish canister style chaeto reactor that I can hang on the outside left edge of the tank.

I’ve tried unsuccessfully to use the back filter chambers and even my media reactor for chaeto but that just wasn’t gonna happen.

for a while I’ve given up on the idea and have just stuck with GFO and carbon, but I love me some biodiversity, so what’s a simple enough way to make this happen?

ps. Sorry, looks like the photo is uploading upside down on mobile, can’t flip it.
 

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#2
nice tank......I used a clear whole house water filter, hooked to my in line on my canister......Red LED light, and will be harvesting cheato next month.....
 
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#5
IMHO a hanging box of some type - a lot of acrylic fuge designs out there but they cost $$$. If you want to try it out before you commit I'd use this ($20) to see if it grows anything, you just need an air pump and a light source of some kind. I use this to house macro, pods and mysis.

1678503152826.png
 

Pygo

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#7
IMHO a hanging box of some type - a lot of acrylic fuge designs out there but they cost $$$. If you want to try it out before you commit I'd use this ($20) to see if it grows anything, you just need an air pump and a light source of some kind. I use this to house macro, pods and mysis.

View attachment 106563
Shoot I didn’t realize these were that cheap. I’ve seen HoB fuges for sale, but usually $100+. I’ll definitely check these out 😎
 

drexel

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#10
I probably wouldn't use the canister in the pic above, as it has metal fittings/threads, but you can definitely use any RO canister or similar. Growing cheato in nano tanks doesn't really yield much in nutrient reduction, but can help balance out pH swings at night. You can also create your own pod hotel inside the tank by using some rigid mesh found in some filters. Pods just need a safe refuge away from predators, which doesn't have to be a large space. Using a submersible light like the Tunze light, can work in back chambers better than lighting it from above. The fluval box is pretty cool, as it uses passive water movement from an air pump. Just add some rubble and a few strands of macro algae and you have the perfect area for microfauna.
 

Pygo

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#11
I probably wouldn't use the canister in the pic above, as it has metal fittings/threads, but you can definitely use any RO canister or similar. Growing cheato in nano tanks doesn't really yield much in nutrient reduction, but can help balance out pH swings at night. You can also create your own pod hotel inside the tank by using some rigid mesh found in some filters. Pods just need a safe refuge away from predators, which doesn't have to be a large space. Using a submersible light like the Tunze light, can work in back chambers better than lighting it from above. The fluval box is pretty cool, as it uses passive water movement from an air pump. Just add some rubble and a few strands of macro algae and you have the perfect area for microfauna.
Yeah I like the HOB box idea due to simplicity and ease of maintenance. I’d probably attach a small submersible pump instead of an air pump. A little extra nutrient reduction is always nice, but I probably won’t rely on it for my main source of reduction. I just enjoy having macros, but they aren’t safe in my DT lol. In reality Id love to have a big display fuge, but that won’t be possible with my current setup unfortunately
 
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#12
I probably wouldn't use the canister in the pic above, as it has metal fittings/threads, but you can definitely use any RO canister or similar. Growing cheato in nano tanks doesn't really yield much in nutrient reduction, but can help balance out pH swings at night. You can also create your own pod hotel inside the tank by using some rigid mesh found in some filters. Pods just need a safe refuge away from predators, which doesn't have to be a large space. Using a submersible light like the Tunze light, can work in back chambers better than lighting it from above. The fluval box is pretty cool, as it uses passive water movement from an air pump. Just add some rubble and a few strands of macro algae and you have the perfect area for microfauna.
The one I bought has all plastic. The picture was for reference.
This is the actual unit:
https://www.amazon.com/GE-GXWH40L-W...ocphy=9031163&hvtargid=pla-311324922928&psc=1
 
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#13
Man im an idiot for not trying one of those sooner lol. In my mind, I was essentially imagining the exact same thing, but trying to fabricate one from scratch. How’s the growth/what kind of light are you using? I imagine the tinted plastic isn’t ideal
The plastic is actually clear. This is teh actul unit:https://www.amazon.com/GE-GXWH40L-W...ocphy=9031163&hvtargid=pla-311324922928&psc=1

I'm using a this light: ACKE LED Grow Lights Full Spectrum,Plant Lights,Growing lamp for Indoor
Huge growth.
 

Pygo

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#15
have you considered an HOB algae scrubber?
I did run a DIY scrubber for a while. It was pretty solid while it lasted, but could've been build with a little more love :p It's a good option and I'll probably revisit it some day. At this point, I want to try out some prettier macros instead of cultivating the enemy(GHA was my scrubber media)
 
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